imported>Badassboy 63637 at 05:17, 20 August 2021

2021-08-20T05:17:51Z

New page

{{short description|Indian microblogging and social networking service}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Koo
| logo = Koo Logo.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_caption =
| screenshot = Koo (app) screenshot.png
| caption = Koo's homepage on desktop version
| collapsible = no
| company_type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| website_type = {{plainlist|
*[[Microblogging]]
*[[Social networking service]]
*[[News]]}}
| native_clients = [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Internet|Web]]
| language = [[Multilingual]]
| traded_as =
| founded = {{Start date and age|14 November 2019}}
| location = [[Bangalore, Karnataka]], [[India]]
| country_of_origin = [[India]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| owner = Bombinate Technologies Pvt Ltd.
| founder = {{plainlist|
*Aprameya Radhakrishna
*Mayank Bidawatka}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malhotra |first1=Vanshika |title=Koo app: India's Twitter alternative will help you express views in your local language |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/apps-indian-app-koo-is-twitter-s-alternative-what-is-it-how-to-download-on-android-ios-and-more-640268 |work=India TV News |date=7 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
| key_people = Aprameya Radhakrishna<br/>([[CEO]])
| industry = {{plainlist|
*[[Internet]]
*[[Social networking service|Social media]]}}
| revenue =
| net_income =
| operating_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| num_employees = 11–50 (As of 2021)
| subsidiaries =
| url = {{url|https://www.kooapp.com/|kooapp.com}}
| registration = Optional
| num_users = {{increase}} 10 million+ <br> (August 2021)
| launch_date = 2020
| current_status = Active
| programming_language =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Koo''' is an Indian [[microblogging]] and [[social networking service]] based in [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]].<ref name="TH">{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2021-05-09|title=Will double headcount; lot of headroom for growing user base: Koo|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/will-double-headcount-says-koo/article34519400.ece|access-date=2021-05-27|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="ET">{{Cite news|date=2021-02-12|title=Indian entrepreneurs back Koo app as Chinese investor exits|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/indian-entrepreneurs-back-koo-app-even-as-chinese-investor-exits/articleshow/80851086.cms|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2021-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/talking-points/story/desi-microblogging-platform-koo-will-have-to-cover-a-lot-of-ground-to-be-twitter-alternative-1767717-2021-02-10|title=Desi microblogging platform Koo will have to cover a lot of ground to be Twitter alternative|date=10 February 2021|access-date=5 March 2021}}</ref> Formerly known as '''Ku Koo Ku''',<ref>{{cite news |title=Chingari, YourQuote and Koo are the winners of the Aatmanirbhar App Innovation Challenge |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/gadgets/2020/aug/31/chingari-yourquote-and-koo-are-the-winners-of-the-aatmanirbhar-app-innovation-challenge-27791.html |work=Indulge Express |date=31 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> it won the [[government of India]]'s [[Atmanirbhar Bharat|Atmanirbhar]] App Innovation Challenge in August 2020.<ref name="moneycontrol">{{cite news |title=Koo Has A Chinese Investor Who Is Exiting, Says Founder Aprameya Radhakrishna |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/koo-has-a-chinese-investor-who-is-exiting-says-founder-aprameya-radhakrishna-6488541.html |work=Moneycontrol |date=11 February 2021}}</ref> As of 2021, it is valued at over $100 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Mishra|first=Digbijay|date=26 May 2021|title=Koo's valuation rises five times in three months in new funding round|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/amid-twitter-india-turmoil-koo-app-raises-30-million-at-six-times-valuation/articleshow/82946443.cms|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref>

== History ==
Koo was first launched in [[Kannada]]<ref>{{cite news|date=24 September 2020|title=Koo is now the largestmicro blog in Kannada|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/koo-is-now-the-largestmicro-blog-in-kannada/article32687332.ece|access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref> and supports [[Hindi]], [[Indian English|English]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-16|title=Nomoskaar Assam! Koo launches app in Assamese as Twitter comes under fire|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/nomoskaar-assam-koo-launches-app-in-assamese-as-twitter-comes-under-fire-2369591.html|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref> and [[Marathi language|Marathi]]. In February 2021, a [[Computer security|cybersecurity]] expert showed a data breach on the app, but the company rejected the claim.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-11|title=French cyber expert shows data leak on Koo app, company denies any breach|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/french-cyber-expert-shows-data-leak-on-koo-app-company-denies-any-breach-949976.html|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

According to statistics provided by analytics provider Sensor Tower, the Koo saw 2.6 million installs from Indian app stores in 2020, compared to 28 million installs observed for [[Twitter]]. From February 6 to February 11, the installations of Koo increased rapidly. The app increased in popularity after a weeklong standoff between Twitter and the Indian government over Twitter's refusal to block accounts the government had flagged for spreading disinformation during the 2020–21 Indian farmers' protest.<ref name="twitterclash">{{cite news|date=17 February 2021|title=Twitter's clash with India government gives boost to local rival|publisher=[[Japan Times]]|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/02/17/business/koo-india-twitter/}}</ref> Following this standoff, many [[Union Council of Ministers|Cabinet Ministers]] such as [[Piyush Goyal]] and various government officials moved to Koo, which saw a surge in user base.<ref name="twitterclash" /> In April 2021, [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]] became the first minister with 1 million followers on Koo.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 April 2021|title=Ravi Shankar Prasad becomes first minister with 10 lakh followers on domestic Twitter "Koo"|url=https://gadgets.techly360.com/ravi-shankar-prasad-becomes-first-minister-with-10-lakh-followers-on-koo/|newspaper=Gadgets Techly360}}</ref>

Koo became an alternative to Twitter in [[Nigeria]] after the country indefinitely banned Twitter for deleting a tweet by Nigerian President [[Muhammadu Buhari]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mukul|first=Pranav|date=14 June 2021|title=Explained: Nigerian govt joins Koo; what this means for Twitter's India-made rival|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nigeria-twitter-ban-koo-app-7352292/|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> The [[Federal government of Nigeria|government of Nigeria]] created their official account on 10 June 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Alawadhi|first=Neha|date=10 June 2021|title=Koo expands its wings, govt of Nigeria joins microblogging platform|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/koo-expands-its-wings-govt-of-nigeria-joins-microblogging-platform-121061001199_1.html|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref>

== Interface and features ==
=== Logo ===
Koo's logo is a yellow bird. The design of the bird was streamlined on 14 May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 May 2021|first1=Anam|last1=Ajmal|agency=TNN|title=Koo App: Homegrown social media app Koo launches new logo|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/homegrown-social-media-app-koo-launches-new-logo/articleshow/82600617.cms}}</ref>

=== Format, interface and features ===
Koo's interface is similar to that of [[Twitter]], allowing users to categorize their posts with [[hashtag]]s and tag other users in mentions or replies. Koo uses a yellow and white interface.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/made-in-india-twitter-alternative-koo-wins-governments-app-innovation-challenge-in-social-category/2048084/|title=Made in India Twitter alternative Koo wins government's app innovation challenge in social category|date=7 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/twitters-clash-with-government-gives-boost-to-koo-app-101613517083858.html|title=Twitter's clash with government gives boost to Koo app|date=17 February 2021}}</ref>

On 4 May 2021, Koo introduced a new feature called "Talk to Type" which allows its users to create a post with the app's voice assistant.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Koo Launches New 'Talk To Type' Feature For Indian Languages|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/koo-launches-new-talk-to-type-feature-for-indian-languages-6852741.html|access-date=2021-05-16|website=Moneycontrol}}</ref>

Koo gives a [[Check mark|yellow tick]] when an account is verified.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Talakokkula|first=Karthik|date=2021-02-11|title=How to get Verified Account on Koo (Verified Account)|url=https://www.androidnature.com/how-to-get-verified-account-on-koo/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Android Nature|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=28 July 2021|title=Like blue tick, Now Koo App will give Yellow Tick to verified users!|url=https://gadgets.techly360.com/like-blue-tick-now-koo-app-will-give-yellow-tick-to-verified-users/|newspaper=Gadgets Techly360}}</ref>

On August 4 2021, [[Light-on-dark color scheme|Dark theme]] was introduced for the app.

== Funding ==
[[Venture capital|Venture capital firms]] such as [[Tiger Global Management|Tiger Global]], Kalaari Capital, and IIFL have invested in the app.<ref name=":0" /> [[Shunwei Capital]] sold its whole stake in Koo by March 2021.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 March 2021|title=Koo's Chinese investor sells entire stake|work=Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/chinese-investor-shunwei-leaves-koo/articleshow/81554716.cms}}</ref>

As of May 2021, Koo has investors including Accel Partners, [[Vani Kola|Kalaari Capital]],<ref name="moneycontrol" /> Blume Ventures, Dream Incubator, 3one4 Capital, Blume Ventures, IIFL and Mirae Assets. On 26 May 2021, Koo said in a statement that it has raised $30 million (about ₹218 crore) in Series B funding, led by [[Tiger Global Management|Tiger Global]].<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2021-05-26|title=Koo raises $30mn funding led by Tiger Global|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/koo-raises-30mn-funding-led-by-tiger-global/article34647225.ece|access-date=2021-05-27|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-26|title=Twitter under fire, Koo announces $30 million fundraise: why it's significant|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/koo-app-fundraise-tiger-global-twitter-social-media-it-rules-7330989/|access-date=2021-05-27|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-27|title=Koo raises $30 million funding led by Tiger Global|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/koo-raises-30-million-funding-led-by-tiger-global-1807626-2021-05-27|access-date=2021-05-27|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> After raising $30 million from [[Tiger Global Management|Tiger Global]], Koo's valuation increased, reaching over $100 million, up from about $25 million in February.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tiger Global leads $30 million investment in Indian Twitter rival Koo|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2021/05/25/tiger-global-koo-app-twitter/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{url|www.kooapp.com|Official site}}

{{Microblogging}}
{{Online social networking}}

[[Category:Internet properties established in 2020]]
[[Category:Indian social networking websites]]
[[Category:Microblogging services]]
[[Category:Multilingual websites]]

Koo social network - Revision history

imported>Badassboy 63637 at 05:17, 20 August 2021